The AAS Medallion of Honor is presented to an individual who has given a lifelong dedication to the advancement of horticulture. All-America Selections is pleased to announce that the 2018 Medallion of Honor recipient is Doug Holden, recently retired global head of breeding at Benary. 

Holden started his career at Bodger Seeds Ltd. In 1986 where he bred such notable introductions as Ageratum Hawaii Blue; Lobelia Palace Series and numerous others. 

“I always trusted Doug’s opinion of new introductions, as he always looked for the commercial benefits of any new variety." John Whitehead, former managing director of Colegrave Seed, said. "I am so pleased he's being given this honor, he fully deserves it.  The industry would be much less valuable today without his involvement."

Continuing his career at Waller Flower Seed Company, Holden advanced to the position of Vice President of Research and Development where he led the development of a new Research and Development Department as well as bred numerous notable series such as the Viola Sorbet Series; Pacifica and Mediterranean Vinca and Panache Pansies, just to name a few. 

In 1997, Holden moved to Goldsmith Seeds Inc. in Gilroy, California where he worked as research director expanding the efforts of Goldsmith Plants Inc. to include a steady supply of vegetative products that would satisfy the needs of a global market. These products ultimately became part of Syngenta Flowers’ Goldfisch Brand. 

As the vice president of Yoder Brothers’ Propagator Marketing Group, Holden dove into the cut flower and potted plant market by leading the new product development in cut flower carnations; garden mums; hibiscus; azaleas and other annual and perennial classes. 

Following a short tenure as Director of Research for Syngenta Flowers, Holden moved to Benary as the Global Head of Breeding in 2009. He was tasked with establishing a new North American Headquarters and Breeding Facility and recruiting breeders for the North American market. As a result of Holden’s vast knowledge and expertise, the Benary Breeding Facility has already generated its first completely US-bred series, Super Hero Marigolds (of which, ‘Spry’ is a 2018 AAS Winner), and is poised to introduce many more. 

On Oct. 19, Seed Your Future and Scholastic announced new additions to BLOOM!, an initiative introduced in April 2018 to excite young people about the power of plants and ensure horticulture — along with the millions who depend on it — thrives well into the future.

BLOOM! is an initiative of SeedYour Future, a coalition of more than 150 partners — including horticulture companies, gardening organizations, schools, colleges, universities, public gardens, youth organizations, nonprofit organizations and individual advocates — united in their mission to promote horticulture and the diverse careers the industry offers.

BLOOM! now includes expanded science and ELA lesson plans and activity sheets, which support higher standards, and an exciting student contest to help teachers, parents, and youth program leaders educate and inspire young people about the power of plants and the rewarding and plentiful careers in the green-collar world of horticulture. The student Plant-Mash Up! Contest runs until Nov. 21, 2018 and challenges middle-schoolers to envision a new plant that could benefit their community, country, or the world for a chance to win credits to the Scholastic online store. All educator resources, contest rules and entry forms can be found on the free educator microsite Scholastic.com/BLOOM.

The website WeAreBLOOM.org serves as a digital hub for all BLOOM! activity and hosts a suite of entertaining, educational resources to interest kids and the adults in their lives. With fresh and inventive videos about real people and their green-collar jobs, the initiative’s YouTube channel @WeAreBLOOM is garnering praise from youth and adults alike.

“This campaign is all about opening young people’s eyes to the incredible power and potential plants have to change the world,” said Susan E. Yoder, executive director of Seed Your Future. “Showing students that plants and the professionals who work with them are critical to the future of the planet is key to ensuring a future that has people who know how to grow safe and nutritious food, develop new life-saving medicines, create magical landscapes and gardens that provide physical and mental health supports, and solve some of our toughest issues such as pollution, clean water, drought, and climate change.”

Horticulture — the art, science, technology and business of plants — touches nearly every facet of life, but awareness of this important industry is at an all-time low. Research shows that the average American can recognize 1,000 brand names and logos, but fewer than 10 local plants. "Plant-blindness" (a lack of awareness of plants) is particularly significant among U.S. youth, a majority of whom have never heard of the term "horticulture," and the industry is experiencing the impact. Nearly 58,000 jobs in horticulture are expected to become available annually for the next five years, but only 61 percent are expected to be filled. At the same time, higher education and horticulture training programs are experiencing declining enrollment.

“Seed Your Future and Scholastic will continue to develop free resources for teachers, parents and youth program leaders,” said Yoder. “Whether BLOOM! introduces today's youth to a lifelong passion or a fulfilling career, one thing is clear — the more we know about plants, the more we can make a difference in the world today."

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bailey Nurseries is acquiring Carlton Plants as of Oct. 31. As a continuation of its principle of Growing What’s Next, Bailey places a strong focus on supplying the grower market with top quality plants supported by excellent service. Integrating one of the industry’s most well-respected bareroot growers into the Bailey organization offers customers an expanded product portfolio with the same quality and service they have come to expect.

"Carlton Plants is very fortunate to have so many great employees, customers, and colleagues with whom strong relationships have been developed over the past 128 years," said Carlton general manager Jon Bartch. "Carlton remains very strong and healthy because of them. With respect to these relationships, and as a business owner, there is a responsibility to consider the longer term future of the company. I am excited to share this future with another relationship-focused organization such as Bailey.”

Second-generation Bailey Nurseries owner Gordon Bailey Sr. purchased Carlton Plants in 1984 before his grandson [Bartch] purchased the company in 1997. This thread of common family ownership between Bailey and Carlton, as well as the already collaborative relationship between the companies, has laid the foundation for a smooth integration into one organization under the Bailey umbrella.

"We have many common core values, making this a natural fit,” adds Bailey president Terri McEnaney. "Our joint commitment to service and quality will be a great benefit to our expanded customer and employee base, and we look forward to bringing our teams together to support the long-term success of Bailey and our customers. This is an incredibly exciting time and we are thrilled to create new opportunities with the combined resources of Carlton and Bailey."

Throughout the integration process, Jon Bartch will remain on board alongside Bailey and Carlton leadership. Customers can expect a smooth transition with all 2019 ordering and shipping processes unchanged. During this time, long-term transition plans will be established for the most efficient integration of people and systems.

"The entire Bailey family has great respect and admiration for what has been built at Carlton, and we are grateful that Bailey has the opportunity to continue its legacy,” Terri McEnaney said. "Jon’s intentional decision for Carlton to continue as a plant nursery speaks volumes to his character, and I am confident that if our grandfather were here today, he would be pleased to see this next evolution for Bailey and Carlton."

Editor's note: Watch NurseryMag.com for more specifics on the acquisition and transition as it develops.

Photo: Jon Bartch and Terri McEnaney, provided by Bailey.

On Oct. 10, the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre released its 2018-19 innovation report, free to those interested. 

This year's report covers Vineland's research programs on indoor sweet potato production, greenhouse tomato research aimed at getting a better-tasting tomato on the market and biocontrol research for flower growers. It also features two case studies from Vineland. The first is on bringing world crops - products that are not typically grown in Canada - to Canadian market and its potential economic impact. The second is on greening Canada's roadways through tree planting. 

The 2018-19 report can be downloaded here.

Photo courtesy of Vineland Research & Innovation Centre